Tool tether attachment assembly and tool assembly methods

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the disclosure relate to a tether attachment assembly for use with a tool. Utilization of the tether attachment assembly in combination with the tool and a tether provides a beneficial safety feature in case the tool is inadvertently dropped. In some embodiments, the tether attachment assembly is provided between a fitting and a body of the tool. The tether attachment assembly can include a tether coupling and, in other embodiments, further includes a link and collar also provided between the fitting and body. In addition, aspects of the disclosure relate to kits including a tether attachment assembly and methods of assembling tools including a tether attachment assembly.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/728,242, filed Sep. 7, 2018, which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

Tools are widely used by workers in construction, maintenance, and industrial facilities operations. For tasks performed at elevated heights, dropping a tool can cause injury to individuals or damage to objects below the worker. The dropped tool also is a significant inconvenience for workers who must spend time to retrieve the dropped tool.

Lanyards, tethers, hooks, and similar restraints are used to prevent accidental dropping of tools. These restraints are particularly useful for workers at height and in environments where a tool drop can cause substantial damage or harm to plant equipment, to workers, or to objects below a worker who accidentally drops a tool.

The present disclosure addresses problems and limitations associated with the related art.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the disclosure relate to a tether attachment assembly for use with a tool. Utilization of a tether attachment assembly in combination with a tool and a tether provides a beneficial safety feature in case the tool is inadvertently dropped. In some embodiments, the tether attachment assembly is provided between a fitting and a body of the tool. The tool assembly can include a tether coupling and, in other embodiments, further includes a link and collar also provided between the fitting and body. In addition, aspects of the disclosure relate to kits including a tether attachment assembly and methods of assembling tools including a tether attachment assembly.

Aspects of the disclosure include a tether attachment assembly for securing a tether to a tool having a fitting. The tether attachment assembly includes a tether coupling having first and second apertures, the first aperture being arranged and configured to be secured to the tool and the second aperture being configured to secure a tether to the tether coupling. In some embodiments, the tether attachment assembly further includes a link having first and second threaded ends as well as a collar having first and second threaded apertures. The first threaded end of the link can be positioned within the first aperture of the tether coupling and the second threaded end of the link can be threadably engaged with the first threaded aperture of the collar. The second threaded aperture of the collar can be configured to be threadably engaged with the fitting.

Other aspects of the disclosure include methods of assembling a tool including providing a tool including a body having a receiving aperture and also providing a fitting that is disconnected from the body, the fitting having a threaded end. A tether attachment assembly is also provided including a tether coupling having first and second aperture. The method can include positioning the tether attachment assembly between the fitting and tool body and interconnecting fitting to the tool body such that the tether attachment assembly is between the fitting and the tool body. In some embodiments, the tether attachment assembly includes a link having first and second threaded ends and a collar having first and second threaded apertures. In various methods, during the step of interconnecting, the first threaded end of the link is positioned within the first aperture of the tether coupling and into the threaded receiving aperture of the tool and the second threaded end of the link is threadably engaged with the first threaded aperture of the collar. During the step of interconnecting, the second threaded aperture of the collar can be threadably engaged with the threaded end of the fitting. Some disclosed methods further include the step of securing a tether to the second aperture of the tether coupling. Methods can further include the step of securing the tether to an anchor to effectively secure the tool to the anchor.

Additional aspects of the disclosure include a tool having a body having a receiving aperture, a fitting having a threaded end and a tether attachment assembly. The tether attachment assembly can include an optional link having first and second threaded ends, an optional collar having first and second threaded apertures, and a tether coupling having first and second apertures. The second aperture being configured to secure a tether to the tether coupling. In some embodiments, the first threaded end of the link is positioned within the first aperture of the tether coupling and into a threaded receiving aperture of the body and the second threaded end of the link is threadably engaged with the first threaded aperture of the collar. The second threaded aperture of the collar can be threadably engaged with the threaded end of the fitting.

Additional aspects of the disclosure include a kit including a tether attachment assembly having one or more of a link having first and second threaded ends, a collar having first and second threaded apertures, and a tether coupling having first and second apertures, the second aperture being configured to secure a tether to the tether coupling. The kit can further include a tool including a body having a receiving aperture and a fitting having a threaded end and a tether that can be secured to the second aperture and an anchor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of embodiments and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments and together with the description serve to explain principles of embodiments. Other embodiments and many of the intended advantages of embodiments will be readily appreciated as they become better understood by reference to the following detailed description. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other. Like reference numerals designate corresponding similar parts.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a tool having a tether attachment assembly for securing to a tether that can be connected to an anchor.

FIG. 2 is a partial, side view of the tool and tether attachment assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partial, exploded view of the tool and tether attachment assembly of FIGS. 1-2.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a tool having an alternate tether attachment assembly for securing to a tether that can be connected to an anchor.

FIG. 5 is a partial, enlarged view of the tool of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following Detailed Description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. In this regard, directional terminology, such as “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “leading,” “trailing,” etc., is used with reference to the orientation of the Figure(s) being described. Because components of embodiments can be positioned in a number of different orientations, the directional terminology is used for purposes of illustration and is in no way limiting. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like reference numerals indicate like elements, FIGS. 1-3 collectively illustrate a tool 10 and components thereof. In some embodiments, the tool 10 is a pneumatic tool having a body 12 and a fitting 14 including a threaded end 16. One example of a suitable pneumatic tool in which aspects of the disclosure can be applied is Model No. 4768 available from Esco Tool Company of Holliston, Mass. In such an example, the fitting 14 is a pneumatic nipple fitting. The tool 10 further includes a tether attachment assembly 22.

The tether attachment assembly 22, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, includes a link 24 having first and second threaded ends 26, 28. The first tether attachment assembly 22 further including a collar 30 having opposing, first and second threaded apertures 32 (only second threaded aperture 32 is visible and referenced in FIG. 3, however, it is to be understood that the other, opposing threaded aperture is similarly configured at an opposing end 34 of the collar 30). In addition, the tether attachment assembly 22 includes a tether coupling 42 having first and second apertures 44, 46. The first threaded end 26 of the link 24 is positioned within the first aperture 44 of the tether coupling 42 and threaded into a threaded receiving aperture 48 provided in the body 12 of the tool 10. In this way, the tether coupling 42 can slide along and with respect to the link 24. The second threaded end 28 of the link 24 is threadably engaged with the first threaded aperture 32 at the end 34 of the collar 30. The second threaded aperture 32 of the collar 30 is threadably engaged with the threaded end 16 of the nipple fitting 14. The second aperture 46 of the tether coupling 42 can be used to secure a tether 52 (schematically shown as disconnected from the tool 10) via a fastener such as a hook or a carabiner, a clip, tying, or the like. The tether 52 can additionally be secured to an anchor 54, which could be an anchor structure or the worker, (schematically represented) so that if the tool 10 is dropped, the anchor 54 and tether 52 will prevent the tool 10 form dropping a distance further than a length of the tether 52.

One illustrative method of assembling the tool 10 can be conducted as follows. The tool 10 is provided along with the tether attachment assembly 22. If the fitting 14 of the tool 10 is connected to the body 12, the fitting 14 is disconnected from the body 12 as is well known in the art. Then, the tether attachment assembly 22, including the tether coupling 22, link 24 and collar 30, either provided in pieces or interconnected to any degree, is positioned between the fitting and tool body 12. For example, the tether attachment assembly 22 is arranged such that the first threaded end 26 of the link 24 is inserted through the first aperture 44 of the tether coupling 22 and threaded into the threaded receiving aperture 48 of the tool 10 and the second threaded end 28 of the link 24 is threadably engaged with the first threaded aperture (proximate end 34) of the collar 30. The threaded end 16 of the fitting 14 is threadably engaged with the second threaded aperture 32 of the collar 30. If not already connected, the tether 52 can be secured to the second aperture 46 either via a fastener such as a hook or a carabiner, clipping, tying or the like. The tether 52 can further be secured to the anchor 54 in any known fashion either prior to or after the tether assembly 22 is secured to the tool 10. It will be understood that the order of the aforementioned steps can vary to accomplish the assembled configuration as depicted in FIG. 1.

Referring now also to FIGS., 4-5, which illustrate an alternate embodiment of a tool 10′ having an alternate tether attachment assembly 22′. The tool 10′ is largely similar to tool 10 except as explicitly stated. In this embodiment, the collar 30 and link 24 of the previously disclosed tether attachment assembly 22 are omitted as part of the tether attachment assembly 22′. Therefore, the tool 10′ includes a tether attachment assembly 22′ having the tether coupling 42 positioned over the threaded end 16 of nipple fitting 14 proximate the threaded receiving aperture of the tool 10′. As indicated with like reference numbers, all components are identical to that of the previously disclosed embodiment unless explicitly stated.

One method of assembling the tool 10′ can be conducted as follows. The tool 10′ is provided in addition to the tether attachment assembly 22′. If the fitting 14 of the tool 10′ is connected to the body 12, the fitting 14 is removed from the body 12 as is well known in the art. Then, the tether attachment assembly 22′ (i.e. tether coupling 42) is positioned between the fitting 14 and tool body 12. For example, the threaded end 16 of the fitting 14 can be inserted through the first aperture 44 of the tether coupling 42. Then, the fitting 14 is interconnected to the tool body 12. In some embodiments, the threaded end 16 of the fitting 14 is threaded into the receiving aperture 48. If not already connected, the tether 52 can be secured to the second aperture 46 via a fastener such as a hook or a carabiner, clipping, tying or the like. The tether 52 can further be secured to the anchor 54 in any known fashion either prior to or after the tether assembly 22′ is secured to the tool 10′. It will be understood that the order of the aforementioned steps can vary to accomplish the assembled configuration of FIG. 4.

It is envisioned that the tools 10, 10′ and/or tether attachment assemblies 22, 22′ can be provided as a kit including one or more components illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4 either assembled, partially-assembled or disassembled, as desired. In one illustrative example, the kit includes the tether attachment assembly 22 having the link 24, the collar 30; and the tether coupling 42. In some embodiments, the kit can further include the tool body 12 and/or the fitting 14. In some embodiments, the kit includes the tether attachment assembly 22′ provided with the tether coupling 42 and without the link 24 and the collar 30. In some embodiments, kits of the disclosure may include a tether 52 and/or anchor 54. Other kits including combinations of the disclosed elements are also envisioned.

It is to be understood that the features of the various exemplary embodiments described herein may be combined with each other, unless specifically noted otherwise.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the present invention. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is intended that this invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A tether attachment assembly for securing a tether to a tool having a fitting; the tether attachment assembly including: a tether coupling having first and second apertures, the first aperture being arranged and configured to be operatively connected to the fitting and the second aperture being configured to secure a tether to the tether coupling.
 2. The tether attachment assembly of claim 1, further comprising a link having first and second threaded ends, the first aperture configured and arranged to receive the link.
 3. The tether attachment assembly of claim 2, further comprising a collar having first and second threaded apertures.
 4. The tether attachment assembly of claim 3, wherein the first threaded end of the link is configured to be threadably engaged with the tool.
 5. The tether attachment assembly of claim 4, wherein the second threaded end of the link is configured to be threadably engaged with the first threaded aperture of the collar.
 6. The tether attachment assembly of claim 5, wherein the second threaded aperture of the collar is configured to be threadably engaged with the fitting.
 7. A method of assembling a tool, the method comprising: providing a tool including a body having a receiving aperture and also providing a fitting that is selectively coupled to the body, the fitting having a threaded end configured and arranged to be received in the receiving aperture; providing a tether attachment assembly including a tether coupling having first and second apertures; positioning the tether attachment assembly between the fitting and the tool body; and interconnecting the fitting to the tool body such that the tether attachment assembly is secured between the fitting and the tool body.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the tether attachment assembly includes a link having first and second threaded ends and a collar having first and second threaded apertures.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein during the step of interconnecting, the first threaded end of the link is inserted through the first aperture of the tether coupling and threaded into the threaded receiving aperture of the tool and the second threaded end of the link is threadably engaged with the first threaded aperture of the collar.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein during the step of interconnecting, the second threaded aperture of the collar is threadably engaged with the threaded end of the fitting.
 11. The method of claim 7, further including the step of securing a tether to the second aperture of the tether coupling.
 12. The method of claim 11, further including the step of securing the tether to an anchor.
 13. The method of claim 7, wherein the fitting is a pneumatic nipple fitting.
 14. A tool comprising: a body having a receiving aperture; a fitting having a threaded end; a tether attachment assembly including: a link having first and second threaded ends; a collar having first and second threaded apertures; and a tether coupling having first and second apertures, the second aperture being configured to secure a tether to the tether coupling; wherein the first threaded end of the link is positioned within the first aperture of the tether coupling and into a threaded receiving aperture of the body and the second threaded end of the link is threadably engaged with the first threaded aperture of the collar; further wherein the second threaded aperture of the collar is threadably engaged with the threaded end of the fitting.
 15. The tool of claim 14, wherein the fitting is a pneumatic nipple fitting.
 16. The tool of claim 14, wherein the tether coupling includes first and second apertures.
 17. A kit comprising: a tether attachment assembly including: a link having first and second threaded ends; a collar having first and second threaded apertures; and a tether coupling having first and second apertures, the second aperture being configured to secure a tether to the tether coupling.
 18. The kit of claim 17, further comprising: a tool including a body having a receiving aperture and a fitting having a threaded end.
 19. The kit of claim 17, wherein the first threaded end of the link is configured to be positioned within the first aperture of the tether coupling and into a threaded receiving aperture of the body and the second threaded end of the link is configured to be threadably engaged with the first threaded aperture of the collar; further wherein the second threaded aperture of the collar is configured to be threadably engaged with the threaded end of the fitting.
 20. The kit of claim 17, further comprising a tether that can be secured to the second aperture. 